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Commission reviews $372,000 budget for expanded after‑school program at five schools
Summary
The City Commission considered a $372,000 addition to the proposed budget to expand an extended‑day recreation program into five schools; staff said program revenues are expected to offset costs and outlined sites, staffing and fee structure.
City staff presented an updated budget proposal on June 3 that includes $372,000 to expand the city's extended‑day recreation program into five school sites, a change staff said would be funded by program fees and not increase the general‑fund deficit.
Finance staff said the extended‑day expansion covers five sites — Lake Hart Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Live Oak Elementary, Morningside Pre‑K and Magnolia Pre‑K — and that the $372,000 line item is offset by anticipated program revenues. "That was an additional $372,000 offset by the program revenues that would come in from this program if it were to be implemented," the finance presentation said.
Recreation staff and commissioners discussed program logistics. Staff said the program would operate during the school year for roughly 37 weeks, charge parents $30 per week (the same rate currently used in other school‑based offerings) and employ part‑time recreation employees with a total of approximately 31 positions assigned across sites plus supervisory staff. The city projected approximately $375,000 in program revenue and $371,000 in costs, making the expansion a near break‑even proposition, staff said.
Some commissioners questioned whether the city should concentrate services where need is greatest rather than sites where families are already able to pay. "My problem is we're putting these programs not where the great need is greatest, but where the students can pay," one commissioner said, urging staff to consider equity in site selection and to coordinate with the school district.
Staff said the plan builds on the city's experience operating an extended‑day program at Robert Cross and that a phased approach was chosen to avoid a losing financial proposition. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordination with the school system and to provide a consolidated plan for school‑city collaboration before implementing the expansion.
